Time Perspective as a Predictor of Self-Other Justice Perception among Farmers and Herders in Benue State, Nigeria

This study examined the role of time perspective on self-other justice perception among farmers and herders in Benue State, Nigeria. Four hundred and fifty (450) participants comprising 391 farmers and 59 herders participated in the study. Out of these participants, 356 (79.10%) were males, while 94 (20.9%) were females. The ages of participants ranged from 19 to 65 years, and their mean age was 39.42 years. The study was a survey, that employed multiple sampling technique for participant selection. The 17-item Short Version Zimbardo Time Perspective Inventory and Self-Other Justice Perception Scale were the instruments used in the study. Multiple Regression was the statistic used to analyse data. The results of the study revealed that the dimensions of time perspective namely present hedonistic perspective (β = 0.110; t = 2.371; p < .05), past positive perspective (β = 0.172; t = 3.702; p < .001), and present fatalistic perspective (β = -0.114; t = -2.404; p < 05) predicted self-other justice perception among farmers and herders. It was therefore concluded that the propensity to focus on different aspects of the past and the present plays a critical role in predicting self-other justice perception and is important in resolving resource use conflict among farmers and herders. The findings of this study have practical implications for policy makers that have been assigned the responsibility of resolving the crisis between farmers and herders in Benue State. The findings of this study will assist policy makers in developing novel and efficient approaches and interventions of resource use that are just and equitable, which will aid in abating this incessant conflict between farmers and herders.